This Sunday, the FAITH God asked is not the kind we ordinarily understand as believing there is God. What God means by faith is a loyalty and trust that’s practical, a steadfastness in the midst of day-to-day trials and difficulties.
One night house caught fire and a boy was forced to climb up the roof. The father stood on the ground below with outstretched arms, calling to his son, “Jump! I’ll catch you.” However, all the boy could see between himself and his father was fire, smoke, and blackness. As can be imagined, the child was filled with panic. His father yelled again, “Jump, son! I’ll catch you.” But the boy protested, “Papa, I can’t see you.” The father replied, “But I can see you, have FAITH, and that is all that matters.”
In life as in the story, we many times cannot see God the Father because of the fire, smoke and blackness which may symbolize our sufferings, our disappointments and our trials. But let us trust in the Lord because He sees us and that is all that matters.
In this Sunday Gospel, the apostles ask our Lord: “Increase our faith.” The apostles, whom Jesus had sent forth to preach, were apparently overwhelmed by the demands of their work and dejected by the people’s cold response. Our Lord replies, “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this sycamore tree, “Be uprooted – and it would obey you.” (Lk.17.5)
It does not follow that faith will give us power to move trees literally. But faith will give the power to cope with difficulties, overcome obstacles and attempt great things for the Lord. Remember, faith alone or trust in God alone is not enough. As much as we must implore God’s help so must we do our part, exert efforts to solve our problem, whether they be personal or social.
The American writer Robert Ross once said, “People ask God why He doesn’t do something about the homeless and the starving people in the world.” But they don’t realize that God is asking them the same question? FAITH is a gift offered by God to us. Faith is a human response to God’s initiative in the context of a relationship with God. God makes the first move, then we make a personal response to God’s personal initiative. We cooperate with God.
Key Concepts: Philanthropy. This concept can be defined as any voluntary action that benefits human society. Literally, philanthropy (which means “love of humanity”) refers to a caring disposition that prompts individuals and communities to give of themselves with no other motive than the benefits of others. Like stewardship, philanthropy includes the concept of volunteerism that is, gifts of “wisdom and work” as well as gifts of wealth.
On October 1st, we celebrate the memorial of St. Therese of the Child Jesus, the Patroness of the Mission and have our first Saturday Mass at 9AM for the intentions of Adorers and the devotees of Our Lady of Fatima. October 2 is Respect Life Sunday. This day we pray for the end of the Slaughter of the Unborn and the protection of LIFE from the moment of its conception until its natural death. During the week, we have the feast of St. Francis of Assisi and the blessing of animals on this day at 10AM. On the 7th, it is the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary and have the regular First Friday Mass. This is all for now, watch for the next bulletin.
Happy October fest. God Bless!
Your Priest-Servant and Parochial Administrator,
Fr. Reggie